Dusty TS55

[NineFingers]

I fully expect I'm doing something wrong -- I just don't know what!

I acquired my new TS55 last Friday, and used it over the weekend.  I didn't do what I would call a lot of sawing, but I found the dust collection to be pretty poor -- I swept up *at least* a quart and a half of sawdust (and more is widely dispersed about the shop), from about 50 feet of cuts, most of which weren't full-kerf.  There's not much to mess up in the dust collection setup... so I MUST be doing something wrong.   Can anybody offer any advice?

I was cutting 3/4" QSWO stock.  Vac is a CT-MIDI, turned on to high setting.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I fully expect I'm doing something wrong -- I just don't know what!

I acquired my new TS55 last Friday, and used it over the weekend.  I didn't do what I would call a lot of sawing, but I found the dust collection to be pretty poor -- I swept up *at least* a quart and a half of sawdust (and more is widely dispersed about the shop), from about 50 feet of cuts, most of which weren't full-kerf.  There's not much to mess up in the dust collection setup... so I MUST be doing something wrong.   Can anybody offer any advice?

I was cutting 3/4" QSWO stock.  Vac is a CT-MIDI, turned on to high setting.

What does that mean? If it means the outside of the blade was exposed to the air then that is why the dust flew out instead of up into the vac.

If you do a trim cut where the blade is not fully enclosed in the wood then you need to place an equal thickness board along the outside of the saw path to prevent the debris from flying away from the blade.

 

[NineFingers]

You understood my issue correctly.  I wondered if that might be the issue.  Never thought to put another piece up against the edge.  duh!  See -- like I said I was doing it wrong.  [embarassed]

One thing I've learned about Festool procedures -- many "normal" techniques don't necessarily apply.  It's a learning process -- especially for somebody who is just an amateur at this woodworking thing.  [smile]  But it's all fun.

Thanks for your help!

Dave

 

[tjbnwi]

I just tape a piece of cardboard to the saw to work as a dust skirt. Plunge the saw (make sure the saw is unplugged), tape the piece in place so it just clears the material support surface. It will travel up and down as you plunge. Cover about 3/4 of the blade.

Tom

 

[NineFingers]

Great idea, Tom.  I think I'll likely use the auxiliary board idea, though, as that will also give me something to push against, to maintain positive pressure against the dogs.  The boards I was cutting were narrow, not half the width of the guide rail.  The dogs were about mid-way under the rail.  I was in the un-safe position of having to place my hand in the path of the blade  [scared] - so the auxiliary board serves my needs (this time) perfectly.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Great idea, Tom.  I think I'll likely use the auxiliary board idea, though, as that will also give me something to push against, to maintain positive pressure against the dogs.  The boards I was cutting were narrow, not half the width of the guide rail.  The dogs were about mid-way under the rail.  I was in the un-safe position of having to place my hand in the path of the blade  [scared] - so the auxiliary board serves my needs (this time) perfectly.

In that case you should also add equal thickness boards all around the work piece.

You've probably noticed that the bottom of the guide rail is not flat.
If the rail isn't supported at the proudest points it won't sit parallel to the table so your cut won't be at the angle you expect.

The work piece might also miss the foam strips that help prevent it from sliding around under the rail.

If you have to make several cut on small pieces I'd suggest making an L shaped jig to support the rail and position the work.
The long side of the L will support the rail and the short leg will keep the wood from sliding forward.

For further security when cutting a small piece under the rail you can clamp a piece of wood outboard of the work so that the extra piece traps the wood against the L. (this also keeps the kerf closed so the dust is collected) You can do that even if just trimming, less than full kerf. Use a clamp that holds the extra piece down rather than a style that pushes the board against the work.

 

[tjbnwi]

As Michael stated, you should run the saw on a fully supported rail.

Tom

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Tom's idea is good. it helps. Also, these little vacs are great, but as they fill the CFM decreases....so, you will get the best collection if the bag is not too full. Also, if you cut on a softer surface like Home Depot's pink board, you will get better dust collection.